Pictured Above: Apjohn Street Boxing Day 2020
The second stage of a $6 million project to enhance drainage around Horseshoe Bay Park on Magnetic Island has started.
The project has been partially funded through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) with $1.6 million being provided.
Infrastructure services committee chairperson Kurt Rehbein said Townsville City Council had appointed BMD Contractors to undertake the project, which was expected to take seven months to complete.
“This is a significant project and Council thanks the Horseshoe Bay community for its patience and understanding during construction,” Cr Rehbein said.
“The project will address significant drainage issues in the area and provide greater protection to residents from high rainfall events, like the unprecedented monsoon in 2019 and heavy rain in January this year.”
Minister for Resources and State Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said improvement projects, such as the upgrades to the drainage around Horseshoe Bay Park, provided significant benefits to the community.
“Not only is this an investment in more resilient infrastructure, it’s an investment in the community by supporting local jobs,” Minister Stewart said.
“Projects like this provide a welcome injection of funds into communities that are still recovering from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Work to be completed includes:
removal of power poles and installation of underground power to the northern side of Apjohn Street
construction of an open drain on the southern side of Apjohn Street
construction of an open drain through Horseshoe Bay Park
installation of a drainage culvert within the intersection of Horseshoe Bay Road and Apjohn Street
excavation and reconstruction of identified portions of Apjohn Street for drainage works.
Installation of the new drainage infrastructure will require the relocation of the existing Horseshoe Bay Park multi-purpose sports court.
The Magnetic Island community has been informed about the project with Council officers briefing the Magnetic Island Residents and Ratepayers Association last month and previously in 2020. Information has also been distributed to residents in the immediate vicinity of the park and Apjohn Street.
At their request, Council officers have also met one-on-one with a number of residents to discuss the project and its anticipated benefits.
Townsville City Council will provide complementary funding for works that are not eligible for delivery through the DRFA, with DRFA works required to be completed by 30 June 2021.
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